> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.studyhq.com/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.studyhq.com/_mcp/server.

# Getting started

> Sign in to the StudyHQ Portal, choose your organisation and project, and learn what each role sees — plus the notices that appear before a plan is active.

> **Info**
>
> **Flow type:** `Agency`  ·  **Product:** StudyHQ Portal (team)
>
> Applies to schools running internal guidance and to counselling agencies
> alike — the portal is the same for both.

## Your account and first sign-in

Your account is created for you — there is no self-signup for team members:

* **Organisation admins** — StudyHQ sets up your organisation and emails you a
  link to set your password.
* **Team members** — your organisation admin invites you from the **Team**
  page; you receive the same kind of email.

#### Open the invitation email

Click the button in the email — it takes you to the set-password page.

#### Choose your password

Set a password and you're in.

#### From then on

Sign in with your **email** and **password** on the portal sign-in page.

> **Tip**
>
> Forgot your password? Click **Forgot password** on the sign-in page, enter
> your email, and follow the link in the email you receive.

---

## Choosing your organisation and project

After signing in:

* If you belong to **one organisation with one project**, you go straight into
  it.
* If you belong to **more than one**, a page lists your organisations and
  projects — click the one you want to work in. You can switch any time from
  the header.

---

## Finding your way around

Open a project and the left sidebar shows the pages for **your role**:

| Role                    | Sidebar pages                                      |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Org / project admin** | Dashboard · Students · Cases · Sessions · Settings |
| **Counsellor**          | Dashboard · Students · Cases · Sessions            |
| **Member**              | Students · Cases                                   |

The small numbers beside **Students** and **Cases** are live counts — for
admins and members they cover the whole project; for counsellors, their own
caseload. The **Sessions** page exists only when your plan includes
counselling.

In the header you'll also find the project switcher, the **Feedback** button,
the **Help** menu, and your account menu. Your role is shown next to your name.

> **Tip**
>
> Every operation in this guide starts with its path — for example
> **Students → Add student** — so you always know where to click first.

> **Note**
>
> Organisation admins additionally see an **organisation-level menu**:
> **Projects · Billing · Team · Settings · My account** — covered in
> [Organisation & team](/documentation/agency/portal-guide-team/organisation-team) and
> [Billing, plans & credits](/documentation/agency/portal-guide-team/billing-plans-credits).

---

## Notices you may see at the top

Two banners can appear on every project page:

> **Warning**
>
> **"Awaiting approval"** — StudyHQ is still reviewing your organisation. You
> can look around, but students can't be added until it's approved.

> **Warning**
>
> **"No active plan"** — your organisation hasn't activated a plan yet.
> Students can't be added until one is active. For organisation admins the
> banner includes a **Go to billing →** link.

While either notice is showing, buttons that depend on the plan (like **Add
student**) appear greyed out with a short explanation. Members and
counsellors: the fix is with your organisation admin.

Next: **Organisation & team**.